Emergency Preparedness

Contact Information, Office Hours, Functions, Department Responsibilities
FAQ's, Common Terms, History, Interesting Facts

Functions

Multi-Hazards Planning
Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery
Mitigation Operations

The Emergency Preparedness Division (EPD) provides leadership and assistance to reduce the loss of life and property in Charleston County from a variety of man-made and natural hazards through an effective emergency management program.

This Division Does

	Plan for the effects of man-made and natural disasters
	Act as the primary emergency planner and facilitator for local governments, volunteer organizations and citizens
	Serve as a clearinghouse for up-to-date information to assist agencies and individuals with emergency planning
	Coordinate the Local Emergency Planning Committee for hazardous materials planning, emergency response and annual exercises
	Review the emergency plans for nursing homes and residential care facilities as required by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
	Orchestrate various drills and exercises to test planning and response process
	Operate and maintain the County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during disasters
	Serve on numerous federal and state committees and task forces regarding hurricanes, urban search and rescue, earthquakes and special needs sheltering
	Provide Federal Emergency Management Agency home study, college credit courses on various emergency management topics, at no charge

This Division Does Not

	Operate emergency shelters
	Assist with emergency payment of home utility bills
	Maintain flood insurance rate maps (See Planning )
	Check homes for Radon or other hazardous materials
	Write emergency plans for businesses. However, EPD will review them on a case-by-case basis
	Manage EMS or answer questions about their billing (See Emergency Medical Service )

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:	During a hurricane, how far should I evacuate?
A:	Although we do not provide specific distances, EPD generally suggests a westward inland evacuation over 150 miles or whatever distance with which a person feels comfortable.

Q:	I live in a mobile home with tie-downs, do I still need to evacuate in a storm?
A:	Yes, most tie-downs will only keep the floor partially secured to the ground. The walls and roof may still blow away.

Where is the earthquake fault in our area? When will we see another major earthquake?

Several faults run through the Lowcountry, many miles beneath the surface. Their exact locations are not known. Experts cannot predict when the next major earthquake will occur, but many feel it could happen at any time. Each year, South Carolina has 10-15 small earthquakes which may relieve pressure in the Earth's crust or which might be a precursor to a much larger earthquake. Experts estimate that today, an earthquake comparable in magnitude to that of the 1886 earthquake would kill 500 to 2,000 people and injure thousands of others.

Common Terms

Hazard Mitigation-- Techniques used, or actions taken, to reduce the loss of life and property due to all types of hazards (e.g., legislation reducing construction on barrier islands, flood insurance maps, building code enforcement and emergency planning).

Multi-Hazards Planning-- Preparations designed for response to and recovery after natural disasters or man-made, technological disasters.

History

In May 1956, newspaper clippings referred to the Charleston County Civil Defense Council, the predecessor of EPD. In 1960, County Council created the Civil Defense Advisory Council to guide the Director of Civil Defense on personnel selection, appropriations and policy issues. The department existed under various titles prior to July 5, 1983, when County Council officially created the County's Emergency Preparedness Division. On June 20, 1987, the renewed agency got its first real field exposure when lightning started a fire of an 80 million gallon fuel tank at the Hess Terminal. EPD was once again designated as a separate department in 1990, after Hurricane Hugo.

Interesting Facts

The Local Emergency Planning Committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Meetings are open to the public.

Since its creation, EPD responded to more than 70 large incidents, including:

	September 21, 1989	Hurricane Hugo operations, evacuation and recovery
	September 9, 1990	Repatriation of American hostages from Baghdad, Operation Desert Shield
	June 17, 1991	Albright and Wilson plant explosion
	June 28, 1991	Jetliner emergency, 114 passengers with medical emergency from gas fumes
	December 11, 1992	Train accident, overturned chemical tank cars
	March 3, 1995	Plane crash, Highway 17 North
	April 17, 1995	Earthquake, 3.7 Richter scale, considerable damage to schools in Dorchester County
	September 3, 1996	Hurricane Fran, EOC activation, evacuation
	September 13-16, 1999	Hurricane Floyd, EOC activation, Evacuation
	September 11, 2001	EOC activation in Response to WTC & Pentagon Terrorist Attack.

Contact Information

Emergency Preparedness Division
Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 202-7400
(843) 202-7408 (Fax)

Emergency and After Hours
(843) 202-1700

Office Hours

Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.